Automatically-operated liquid-rheostat.



110 845,618. PATENTE'D FEB. 26, 1907.

0. DE KANDO. AUTOMATICALLY OPERATED LIQUID RHEOSTAT.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 6, 1905.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

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0. DE KANDO. AUTOMATICALLY OPERATED LIQUID RHEOSTAT.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 6, 1905.

Invcntor C'oiom an Dalian/do By lanai-1%; 9M

3 SHEETSSHEET Z.

PATENTED FEB. 26, 1907. C. DE KANDO. AUTOMATICALLY OPERATED LIQUIDRHEOSTAT.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 6, 1905.

3 SHEETS-SHEBT a. Q

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By iwlsAiiar/ zeag UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.-

i COLOMAN DE KANDO, OF BUDAPEST, AUSTRIAHUNGARY, ASSIG'NOR,BY

.MESNE ASSIGNMENTS, TO WESTINGHOUSE MACHINE COMPANY, A COR- PORATION OFPENNSYLVANIA.

AUTOMATlCAL LY-CPERATED LlQUID-RHEOSTAT.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Feb. 26, 1907 Application filed May 6, 1905. Serial 110259.245.

T (ti-Z- wlwm, it 7n//r, u(1r1 cer11,.-

Be it known that I, COLOMAN DE Karmic a subject of the King of Hungary,and a' resident of Budapest, in the Kingdom Ans tria- Hungary, haveinvented certain new and useful Improvements in Automatically-Opcr atcdLiquid-Rheostats, of which the following is a specification.

My present invention relates to liquid- 1:: rheostats: and it consistsof certain novel parts and combinations of parts particularly pointedout in the claims concluding these specifications.

In the accon'ipanying drawings 1 have shown my invention embodied in theform at present preferred by me; but it wili be understood that variousmodifications and changes may be made without departing from the spiritof my invention and without exceeding the scope of my claims.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a sectional elevation of thecontrolling device. Fig. 2 is a detail of the same. Fig. 3 is asectional elevation of the rheostat-controlling valve; Fig. 4, asectional elevation on a plane perpendicular to Fig. 3, the valves bemgomitted. Fig. 5 is a diagrammatical sectional elevation of theiiquid-rheostat. Fig. 6 is a section on the line 6 6 of Pig. 7. lug. 7

is a plan view of Fig. 6. Fig- Sis a front elevation of the Heat shownin Fig. 6.

Referring to Fig. 1, 1 is the reservoir containing compressed air, onlya part of which is shown in .the drawings.

3 5 valve controlling the passage of compressed air from the reservoir 1toward the rhcosta-t.

3 is the casing of the valve 2, said casing be ing connected above thevalve by means of the pipe 4. to the reservoir 1. :7 is a support 111which the spindle 8 is journalcd. The upper end of said spindle bearsthe controllingever 9 with a handle 9, and on the lower end of thespindle is secured a cam 10. die 11. of the sliding valve is providedwith a double cam 12 12, (see Fig. 2,) engaged by a stud 13, extendingdownward from the handle 9. The valve 2 is provided with two openings 2,Fig. 2, corresponding to the two I openings 2 of the sliding face 3 ofthe valvecasing. The openings 2 are connected by means oi a channel 3and a pipe-joint 5 to a pipe (not shown) leading to a pipe-joint 6 ofthe rheosiat valvc .l i The slidm lace l l l 1 the valve correspond withthe openings 3*, of l l l l 2 is a sliding l l l l the chamber 33. l lThe spmr l l l l of the valve-casing has further openings 3communicating with the atmosphere. it hen the slide valve is in theposition shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the cavities 2 of the valve establishcommunication between the openings 3 and 3 of the sliding face, thusconnecting; the pipe leading to the rheostat or rheostats with theatmosphere. By turning the valve to the position in which the openings2" oi the sliding face compressed air is admitted through the valve fromthe pipe 1 to the rheostat.

The lower part of the support 7.lS pro vided with a bracket, on which isformed a hollow cylinder 14, closed by a cover 15. Between the flangesof the cylinder and the cover is titted a membrane 16, forming, with thecover, a chamber 17. In the center of the membrane is fixed a plug 18with a central boring 19 and with radial borings 20, establishingcommunication beta een the boring of the plug and the cylinder 14, whichlatter connnunicates with the atmosphere through the opening 21. A.piston 22 is ar- 1 ranged to slide in the cylinder 14, and a s1 ring 23is located between the plug 18 and piston 22. The cover 15 is providedwith a central boring 24, controlled by a valve 25, subjected to thepressure of a spring i T he stud 27 oi the valve 25 projects with 1L3tapered end into the opening of the boring 1 $1 and acts as a valvesuutting said boring tonard the chamber 17. A channel 29 and a. pipe 30connect the valve-chambe 28 of the cover 15 with the compressed-airconduit 4-.

channel 31, by means oi a pipe, (not shown) connected to the pipe-joint32, Fig. 3, with The automatic controlling device (she i in ligs. 3 andll, comprises a casing 34 w th an upper valve-chamber 235, closed bybrane 36 and the mcmbrane-cham formed bet ccn the membrane at, the ring38, secured to the upper flange of the casing 34, and the membrane 37 ofsomewhat larger diameter than the membrane 36 and hold in place by aring 39. The membranes 3G and 37 are connected to each other by a hollowplug 41), passing air-tight through said mem- 1 by the spring 12,interrupting til!l l lilij it'z The chamber 17 communicates, through thetion between the valve-chamber 35 and the atmosphere. The lowervalve-chamber is divided by the division-wall 45 in two parts 43 44, andcommunication between the two parts is controlled by a valve 46, liftedby a spring 47. The valve 46 is provided with a central boring 48, shutby a small springcontrolled valve 49, thestem of which is guided in anaxial boring of the stud of the valve 46and projects out of the same.Between the upperand lower valve-chambers a piston 50 is fitted in acylindrical chamber 51 and bears on the valve 46. This latter chambercommunicates, through two valves 52 and 53, with the uppervalve-chamber, the former valve shutting and the latter valve openingtoward the valve-chamber A valve 54 controls the communicatien betweenchamber 35 and chamber 44. In an axial boring of the stem of thevalve'54 is fitted a small valve 55, the stem of which l i l i drawingsthe motor is at rest.

of'the rheostat, and the chamber 44, Fig. 4,

z of the rheostat-head is directly in communication with the chamber 83,Fig. 5, of the rheostat. Hence the diaphragm 45, Fig. 4, of therheostat-head abuts against the diaphragm between the chambers 72 and 83of Fig. 5 of the rheostat.

The operation of the device may be thus describe In the position shownin the Communication between the compressed-air reservoir projects fromthe lower end of the stem of the i and the rheostat is then closed bythe valve valve 54 and bears on the twoarmed lever 56. l 2, and therheostat is connected, through the On the casing 34 is pivoted a lever57, with an armature 58 on its free end, (see Fig. 4,) controlled by anelcctromagnet 59, mounted on a bracket 60 of the casing 34. On the lever57 projections 51 are provided, which bear against the plug of themembranes 36 37. A piston 62, Fig. 3, actuating a switclnplate 63, isfitted in a cylinder 64, communicating w ith the upper valvechamber 35.63 is one of the contact-brushes, connected with the secondary windingsof the induction-motor to be controlled, shortcircuiting the secondarywindings when the "chamber 76. 79 engages with-its bifurcated end 80 apin" switch-plate 63 is in contact therewith.

The flange 65 of the valve-casing, Fig. 3, is secured to the flange 66of the rheostatchamber, Fig. 5. The rheostat comprises an airchamber 67,forming the upper part of the ater-tank 68 and the rheostat-room 69,

containing the well-know nrheostat-plates 70, (shown onlyschematically,) connected in the usual manner with the secondary windingof the induction-motor to be controlled. The lower part of therheostat-room commu nicates through an opening 71 with the lowest partof the water-tank. When the valve-casing 34 is mounted on the rheostat,the lower valve-chamber 44, Fig. 3, connects with the air-chainber 67,Fig. 5, of the rheostat', while the chamber 43, Fig. 3, connects withthe chamber 72, l ig. 5, of the rheostat. This latter chamber 72communicates through the opening 73, channel 74, and opening 75 with therhe stat-room 69.

The ,rher' gt T iprises, further, a floatchamber 7mm in detail 'in Figs.6 and 7,) which chamber is arranged on the up er end of the rheostat andcommunicateswith the bottom with the rheostat-room 69. The float 77 is journaled by pivots 7 Sin the float- A downwardly-projecting arm atatmospheric pressure.

valve .2, with the atmosphere.

The valve 25 is closed, and the chamber 72, Fig. 5,

stem of said valve leaves free the opening of the boring 19, so that thechamber 17, and thus the membrane-chamber 33, Fig. 3, are At this timethe spring 47 holds the valve 46 open, thereby putting therl'ieostat-chambers 67 and 69 in communication, so that the water willbe on the same level in the chamber 69 and the tank 68 and will nottouch the rheostatplates 70.- The float-chamber 76 is empty and thefloat 77 is in its lowest position, and hence the lever arm 56'i's inits highest position, lifting the valve 54 from its seat. Theshort-circuiting switch 63 63 is open, the piston 62 being held in theposition illustrated by a spring. (Not shown.) For starting the motorthe level-'9 is turned in the direction of the arrow 84, (on the shaft8, Fig. 1,) whereby the pin 13 acts on the cam 12 and turns theslidingvalve 2 in the position establishing communication between thecompressed-air reservoir 1 through the channel 3 with the chamber 51 ofthe rheostat-valve, Fig. 3. The compressed air arriving in the chamber51 exerts a pressure on the. piston 50, which presses the valve 46 onits seat, thus interrupting the communication between the.rheostat-chambers 67 and 69, Fig. 5. The compressed air is then liftingthe throttle-valve 53 and is passing through it and through the valve54, which is held open by the float in the chamber 76, Fig. 6. Thecompressed air therefore enters chamber 67,

Fig. 5, exerting a pressure on the liquid in flow into therheostat-roorn 69. The air, throttled by the valve 53, which valve hasonly a slight lay, isfinding free through the va ve 54, st that whilefull pres sure will bein the. chamber 51, *yetin' the the tank 68 andcausing it to passage ICC saaeie l i l plates 70 current begins to flowthrough the rheostat, and therefore through the windings of theelectromagnet or solenoid 59, arranged in the rheostat-circuit. Theelectromagnet excited by this current begins to attract its armature 53,and thus to exert a certain )ressurefdepending on the current strengt i,on the plug 40, transmitted by the valve 41, standing under the pressureof the spring 42, to the throttle-valve 53. The strength of the currentwill thus balance the admission of the compressed air through thethrottle-valve to the rheostat, admitting a certain constantstarting-current intensity that is, aconstant starting eilort. However,it may be required to vary this constant startingcurrent intensity orstarting el'l'ort. For this purpose the controlling-lever Q is turned[urther in the direction ol the arrow Fig. 1, when the pin 13 will comeout of engagement with the cam 12. The valve 2 will then keep theposition to which it was set and may be .lixcd in that position in anysuitable manner. Herealfter the cam 10, turning with the spindle 8 oithe controlling-lever, begins to engage with the piston 22 and to pushit forward, compressing the spring 23 and ushing the plug 18 against thestem 27 o the valve 25, the reflect off which is to close boring 19 andto open valve 25. The compressed air now passes 'l'rom pipe 30 throughchannel .29 and chamber 28 into the chamber 17 and thence through thechannel 31 and a connecting-pipe leading to the pipe-joint 32, Fig.3,into the membrane-chamber The pressure in chamber 17 exerted on themembrane 16 is equal to the pressure of the spring-23. Hence thepressure on the opposite sides ol the membrane is balanced, and themembrane tends to return to its initial position, while the stem 27holds the boring 19 still closed. At this moment the valve 25 closes,intqrrupting communication between the chamber 17 and the compressed-airsupply. The pressure in the membrane-cham ber 33 corresponds to thepressure in the chamber 17, because they are in tree coininunication,and therefore to the tension ol the spring '23. it the pressure in thechambers-33 and 17 is decreased owing to escape of air, the pressure ofthe spring 23 overcomes that of the compressed air and opens again thevalve 25 until the pressure in chambers 33 and 17 corresponds tothetension ol spring 23. ()wing to the fact that the upper i-nembrane 37 isol larger diameter than the lower membrane 36, the pressure in thechamber 33 will produce an inflation of the whole chamber toward thelarger membrane, thereby lifting the plug 40 against the pressureproduced by the electromagiiet 59, and hence allow the throttle-valve alarger hit and permit a more ample admission oi' compressed air to therheostat. It the starting-current is too great and should be decreased,the lever 9 will be turned in the reverse direction and the pressure ofthe spring diminished. The pressure of the compressed air acting on themembrane 16 then removes the stud 18 from the stem 27, so thatcompressed air can escape through the borings 19, 20, and. 21 until thepressure in the membrane-chamber 33 corresponds to the diminishedpressure of the spring 23. When the starting-currei'it increases, thepressure exerted by the electromagnet on the plug 40 is transmitted bythe stem of the valve $1 on the throttle-valve 53, so that, this latterdiminishes or interrupts totally the admission ol compressed air to therheostat until the speed or the motor increases and the starting-currentdecreases correspondingly. it the current rise is very considerable, aswhen the resistance of the rheostat liquid is decreased by reason ofheating, the plug 40 will be pressed so far down by the action of theelectromagnet that the stem of the valve 41 abuts on the valve 53,whereupon the plug 40 leaves the valve 41, and compressed air 9 willescape from the'rheostat through this valve until the lever 01 therheostat liquid has dropped in the chamber 69, Fig. 5, tar enough toincrease the resistance to the required degree. The liquid rising in therheostat-room 69 enters the float-chamber 7 6 and hits the float. Themovement of the float is transmitted by the bifurcated arm 79, pin 81,and arm 82 to the spindle 83, carrying on its end(projecting into the valve-chamber 44) the lever 56 56. This latter is thereby rotated in sucha sense that the ar1n'56 descends and closes the v'alve 54 whentheliquid in the rheostat-room 69 reaches its normal maximum height. W henthe valve 54 is closed, turther admission of compressed air to reservoir63. 1S prevented and the liquid will remain at rest. Up to this time theair in chamber 35 is only slightly above atmospheric pressure; but nowthe air having no more escape from said chamber the pressure willincrease to the full value of the reservoirpressure, whichpressure issuflicient to put the piston 62 outwardly, actuating the switch 63 (53and short-circuiting the rheostat. The startingci" the motor is nowcompleted. When the pressure in the chamber 35 has reached its fullvalue, the pressure acting on the membrane 36 against the attractiveforce of the electromagnet is so strong that the electromagnet is nolonger able to close the throttle-valve, which thereafter remains open.I

The means which insure a constant level of liquid in thell'lOOb'tttt-IOOIH 69, notwithstanding leakage of air from the chamber67 or notwithstanding the increasing pressure in will sink and the arm56 of the lever 56 56 will accordingly rise, thus lifting the valve 55.

This valve must be of suliiciently small cross section to be readilylifted by the float and suiiiciently large to allow the passage ofcompressed air in quantities large enough to com pensate for theleakage, &c. If, on the other hand, the level of the liquid rises in therheostat-room and in consequence in the.

float-chamber, the float will rise and the lever 56 56 will be turned insuch a way as to lift the valve 49. This valve has to be of suflicientlysmall crosssection to be lifted readily by the float. Through the openedvalve 49 air will enter the room 69 from the chamber 67 until the levelof liquid falls to its normal height.

For stopping the motor the lever 9 is turned back in its initialposition, whereby the tension of the spring 23 is released and themembrane-chamber 33 put in communi cation with the atmosphere. The valve2 is then returned by the pin 13 engaging with the cam 12 ot' the valveto the position shown in the drawing, connecting the chamber 51, Fig. 3,of the rheostat-valve through the pipe, joint 5, channel 3 boring3,cavities 2, and channel 3 with the atmosphere. The compressed airescapes through the valve 52 from the. upper valve-chamber 35 and thecylinder 64 and the switch members 63 63 will be separated. The pressureceases to act on the piston 50, permitting the spring 47 to open valve 46, and thus restablishes'communication between the chambers 67 and'69 ofthe rheostat, whereupon the liquid-level the liquid will fall in room 69to the level of in room 65, and the whole apparatus returns to itsinitial position. (Shown in the drawings.)

Having thus described a structure embodying my invention in the form atpresent preferred by me, what I claim, and desire to secure by LettersPatent, is

1. A liquid-rheostat having a plurality of liquid-containing chambers, aconnection between the air-spaces of said chambers above the maximumliquid-level therein, a valve controlling said connection, and means foractuating said valve to open and close the communication between theairspaces of said chambers.

2. A rheostat having a plurality of liquid containing chambers, aconnection between said chambers, a valve for said connection, andfluid-pressure means adapted tofoperate said valve to closetheconnection between said chambers.

seams 3. A rheostat comprising a plurality of liquid-containingchambers, a connection between said chambers, the liquid of saidchambers being normallyat the same level, means for cutting o'il' thecommunication between said chambers, and means for varying the height ofthe liquid within said chambers.

4. The combination of a liquid-rheostat having a plurality of connectedchambers, a reservoir containing a supply oi compressed air, aconnection between said reservoir and rheostat, a valve for controllingthe connection between the chambers, a valve for con trolling theadmission of air to the rheostat from the reservoir, and a float deviceoperated by the rise and fall of the liquid in'the rheostat adapted toactuate said controllingvalve and said air-admitting valve.

5. The combination of a liquid-rheostat having a plurality of chambers,a valve con trolling the connection between said cham-' bers, astarting-device admitting the com pressed air to the rheostat, athrottle-valve controlling the admission of said compressed air, and anelectromagnetic device, regulated by said rheostat adapted to close thethrottle valve against the pressure of the admitted compressed air.

6. In combination with a liq uid-rheostat, a reservoir of compressedair, means for admitting compressed air to said rheosiat when thepressure therein-falls below a stated pressure, and for permitting theescape of compressed air therefrom when the pressure rises above astated pressure.

7. In combination with a liquid-rheostat having a plurality of chambersand a reservoir of com ressed air, means for admitting air to said rieostat and closing communication between said chambers when thepressure therein is below a stated pressure, and for permitting theescape of compressed air therefrom when the pressure rises above astated pressure.

S. In combination with a liquid-rheostat and a reservoir of compressedair, of a float andmechanism operated by the float for admittingcompressed air to said rheostat when the pressure therein is below astated pressure and for permitting the escape of compressed airtherefrom when the pressure is above a stated pressure.

9; In combination with a liquid-rheostat and a reservoir of compressedair, a float, a rockerarm operated by'said float, a plurality of valvesoperated by said rocker-arm to admit com pressed air to said rheostajtwhen the pressure therein is below a stated pressure, and to permit theescape'of air from said The ostat when the pressure is above a statedpressure.

10. In combination with a liquid-rheostat,

' a reservoir of coinpressedair, a'slide-valve alternately connectingsaid rheostat with the air and wlth said reservoir, a cam mechanism r tosee,

' connected with said valve, a cam for operating mechanism for variablythrottling the admission of compressed air to said rheostat, and acontroller-handle actuating both of said cam mechanisms.

12. In combination with a liquid-rheostat and a reservoir of compressedair, a controllerhandle provided with a projection engaging -w1thmechanism ior operatlng the valve controlling communication between saidreser voir and said rheos-tat, said controller being provided with a cammechanism controlling the operation of mechanism for variably throttlingthe admission of compressed air to said rheostat.

l3. In combination with a liqu1drheostat containing a plurality ofchambers and a reservoir of compressed air, or a valve automaticallyclosing communication between said chambers when compressed air isadmitted to the rheostat, float and mechanism operated by the float toestablish communication. between said chambers when the float assumes agiven position. 7

let. In combination with a liquid-rheostat having a plurality ofchambers, a float, mechanism o erated by said float for automatically amitting compressed air to the rheostat when the float is in oneposition, the communication between said chambers being at that timeinterrupted, and permitting the escape of air from said chamber when thefloat is in another position.

15. In combination with a liquid-rheostat having a plurality of chambersand a reservoir of compressed air, a float, a rocker-arnr connected withsaid float, which arm in one position opens communication between thereservoir and the rheostat while interrupting communication between thesaid chambers, and in another position establishes communication betweensaid chambers.

16. In combination with a liquid-rheostat a reservoir of compressed air,means for ads mitting air to said rheostat when the level of liquidtherein falls below a statedlevel and for permitting the escape ofcompressed air therefrom when the level of" liquid rises above a statedlevel:

17. In combination with a liquid-rheostat having a plurality of chambersand a reservoir of compressed air, means for admitting stat and areservoir of compressed air, of a float and mechanism operated by thefloat for admitting compressed air to said rheostat when the level ofliquid therein is below a stated level and forpern'ntting the escape ofcompressed air therefrom when the level of liquid is above a statedlevel.

19. In combination with a liquid-rheostat and a reservoir of compressedair, a float, a rocker-arm operated by said float, a plurality of valvesoperated by said rockerarm to ad mit compressed air to said rheostatwhen the level of liquid therein is below a stated level, and to permitthe escape of air from said rheostat when the level. of liquid is abovea stated level. V

20. A liquid-rheostat having a plurality of liquid containing chambers,a connection between said chambers, a main valve and a supplementalvalve controlling said connection, and means for actuating both saidvalves to open and close said communication.

21. A liquid-rheostat having a plurality oi liquid-containing chambers,a connection between said chambers, a main valve and a supplementalvalve controlling said connection,

said main valve being controlled by air-pressure and said supplementalvalve being controlled by the level of the liquid within said chamber.

22. A liquid rheostat, a reservoir contain ing a supply of compressedair, a connection between said reservoir and said rheostat, a main valveand a supplemental valve controlling said connection, and means foroperating both said valves to open-and close said connection.

A liq uid-rheostat, a reservoir containing a supply of compressed air, aconnection between said reservoir and said rheostat, a main valve and asupplemental valve, means operated by the level of liquid in therheostat for controlling both said valves.

24. A liquid-rheostat, a reservoir contain ing a supply of compressedair, an exit for the compressed air from said rheostat, main valvescontrolling the entrance and exit of compressed air to and from therheostat, and supplemental valves controlled by the level of the fluidin the rheostat for automatically maintaining said level substantiallyconstant.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in thepresence of two subscribing witnesses.

(JOLOMAN DE KANDO.

Wi tncsses:

lf-nluvn l5. hIALLETT, Louis Vlmnonr.

